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Help to cope with cancer for people in Joondalup and Wanneroo

CANCER sufferers and their carers are being offered free support sessions from February within the cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo to help manage stress and improve fitness.

The support sessions have been specifically designed by the Cancer Council as part of its Life Now initiative and include exercise, yoga, mindfulness and mediation programs.

Meditation, yoga and thai chi classes will run for six weeks in Wanneroo, Wangara, Clarkson and Duncraig, while a 12-week tailored exercise program will be run by an exercise physiologist in Joondalup. There will be an eight-week mindfulness program in Duncraig.

A Cancer Council WA spokeswoman said the programs provided participants with practical coping techniques to counter the effects of cancer-related stress that could be implemented in their everyday life.

“Research has shown that most people benefit from a range of stress-reduction programs, including yoga, meditation and exercise, when practiced before, during and after their cancer treatment,” she said.

Thai chi in Wanneroo will be offered every Tuesday at 9am from February 20, exercise in Joondalup on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10am from March 20 and meditation in Wanneroo on Tuesdays at 9am from April 24.

While mindfulness sessions will run in Duncraig on Wednesdays at 11am from May 2, yoga sessions in Wangara on Mondays at 3pm from May 7 and Clarkson on Thursdays at 7pm from May 10.

For more information, go to cancerwa.asn.au.

Registration is essential and can be done by phoning the Cancer Council on 13 11 20 to speak to a nurse.